Sonic Lunch Summer Concerts Open A2’s Free Summer Music Scene

By Jane Reilly

Groundcover vendor No. 611

Aint Afraid and SHAED, both twin and family bands, opened the 2024 Sonic Lunch Summer Concerts, June 6, at Ann Arbor's Liberty Plaza. Both bands focused on connection and hope.

"It's one of the most important purposes that we have, as a group, as a band, as ‘Aint Afraid,’ connecting with you," twin sisters Sakinah and Zakiyyah Rahman of Ypsilanti said to the overflowing crowd at East Liberty and South Division Streets. "And one of the things that we hope for everyone to find is their own ‘Aint Afraid,’ their own unapologetic way of living." Sakinah, who goes by the nickname Inah and the stage name "Straingth," and Zakiyyah, who goes by the nickname Yahzi and the stage name "WiZ-dumb," are Black Muslims performing in hijabs, Muslim head scarves. Not noticeable is their former homelessness as girls growing up in Detroit, according to the Detroit Metro Times. 

Aint Afraid performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of the "Artists Across America Video Series," in 2021.

"This is one of the shows that typically won't show up in my Spotify," Ruby from Ann Arbor said about Aint Afraid's mix of pop, hip hop, soul, rhythm and blues.

Presented by the Bank of Ann Arbor and hosted by radio station Ann Arbor's 107one WQKL FM, Sonic Lunch is every Thursday (except July 4) from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. through August 29. Sonic Lunch artists' music is played on the radio station. THS Audio provides the sound production.

Ann Arbor's 107one also provided music quietly at the Ann Arbor YMCA's Fourth Annual Summer Block Party, June 15 at 400 West Washington Street through 3rd Street. The event was held in conjunction with the final day of A2ZERO Week from the City of Ann Arbor's Office of Sustainability and Innovations. The Washtenaw County Sheriff Office's bright pink Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle with the inscription, "Strength, Courage, Hope" and the pink breast cancer ribbon attracted much attention.

The WCSO sells pink shoulder patches with proceeds being donated to the Shades of Pink Foundation in Washtenaw County. 

The donations from the Block Party go to the "Y" nonprofit annual campaign. Like others in Washtenaw County, Delonis Center clients use the "Y" for physical and mental health and physical rehabilitation.

Ann Arbor musician Laith Al-Saadi has performed at 15 of the 16 Sonic Lunch concerts, the most of any band.

"We need art," Al-Saadi explained to friends. "I don't separate between the arts. Arts in general. All art." Al-Saadi, on electric guitar, Ann Arbor bass guitar player David Stearns, who has been in Al-Saadi's blues, soul and rock band for 25 years and Plymouth drummer Mike Shea played an 11-song, 64-minute set, June 13.

Al-Saadi promoted his 2024 album, "Don't Give Up on Me," which can be purchased directly at laithalsaadi.com instead of from a record label.

Al-Saadi payed homage to blues, jazz, rock and heavy metal, sang “Ophelia,” in genuine tribute to Levon Helm, “How’s It Gonna Be,” written for Ellis Marsalis and a solo ballad, "Run to You," that is his Mom's favorite. Shea's Mom watched from her car parked in a spot on S. Division closest to the drum kit. Al-Saadi spent about another 50 minutes greeting fans that spanned ages and interests from a kindergarten graduate to a 91-year-old gentleman. He talked shop with musicians. 

Instead of the Ann Arbor Summer Streets Thursday night music series June 13, there was The Event on Main. The concerts are 7-9 p.m. Thursdays (except July 4) through August 29 on South Main St. between Liberty and William. Concerts are: II-V-I Orchestra July 11, August 22; Depot Town Big Band July 25, August 15; Harmolodics August 1, 29 and The Pherotones August 8. The Event on Main is the annual fundraiser since 2010 for the Charles Woodson Clinical Research Fund for Little Victors at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Both the Woodson Foundation and the "Y" accept donations all year. Woodson helped the University of Michigan football team win the co-national championship, earned the Heisman Trophy and won a National Football League Super Bowl.

Only weather and the 2020 pandemic are capable of stopping the free outdoor concerts by Sonic Lunch and A2 Summer Summer Streets, started in 2022. Both cancel for rain.

"Our ability to share our good fortune and give back to the community is very important," said Timothy G. Marshall, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arbor Bancorp Inc. and the Bank of Ann Arbor. "Particularly in times of need, it's our obligation to give back to the community." 

Music promoter Matthew Altruda, who has chosen the bands for 15 seasons, said Sonic Lunch was Marshall's idea. Altruda met Marshall at the first Sonic Lunch in 2008 and has managed the series since. Altruda also promotes the A2 Summer Streets concerts from the Main Street Area Association, works for Bank of Ann Arbor, hosts the radio show "Tree Town Sound" on Ann Arbor's 107one and is part owner of the Associated Football Club - Ann Arbor. This season there is a new restroom with QR code entry, food from EJ's Gourmet Street Cuisine and Ginger Deli with cash and credit payment, merchandise tables for artists and Sonic Lunch, a soap bubble machine and free Sonic Lunch stickers, bracelets, ear plugs and pins. On June 20, a misting fan was added, the product tables were moved to the north side of Liberty St., allowing more room for the crowd and Acai Bowls joined the food trucks. Perich Advertising & Design created the Sonic Lunch image for the merchandise and advertising. There was one city police officer — alert, professional, friendly.

Chelsea Lee, lead singer of SHAED of Washington D.C., sang "Rocket in the Sky," with children dancing at her feet and students from Ann Arbor Open Middle School in the audience. Her husband Spencer Ernst and his twin, Max are the electronic-pop, indie rock style band which first played Sonic Lunch in 2019.

Jacob Sigman, a 2017 U-M graduate now in Los Angeles, said June 20, "This brings together my friends from Michigan and my friends from L.A." Sigman, high fidelity rhythm and blues, opened for Allen Stone from Seattle. He also invited Detroit vocalist Jade Nicole to Sonic Lunch after meeting at Ann Arbor Top of the Park, which concludes June 28-30.

The Pherotones invited Tyler Duncan of Ann Arbor, alto saxophone, to join for three songs in the second set of their June 20 A2 Summer Streets show before playing their regular Thursday gig at The Last Word. The Pherotones, Ross Huff, trumpet, flugal horn, tambourine; Giancarlo Aversa, keyboard; Brennan Andes, bass guitar; Wes Fritzemeier, drums played a 40-minute first set. Tenor saxophonist Jon Lynn joined for the 60-minute second set. The Pherotones played jazz, Latin rock, mambo and Big Band.

The upcoming Sonic Lunch concerts: July 11, Michigander with Young Ritual; July 25, The Accidentals with Joy Clark; August 1, Frontier Ruckus with Timothy Monger; August 8, May Erlewine with Kate Peterson; August 15, Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers with The Rebel Eves; August 22, Antwaun Stanley with Andrew Horowitz; August 29, The Crane Wives with Anna Ash. 

Other free summer concerts listed at annarborwithkids.com or its own website include: Ann Arbor Civic Band 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays June 29 in Chelsea, July 3, 10, 17 at Burns Park; Washtenaw Community Concert Band 7:30 p.m. July 18, German Park; Live from Tolan Square Milan Fridays 5:30-8 p.m. except July 5, August 30 and Sept. 20 and every third Thursday through Sept. 27; Dexter Summer Music Series at Monument Park 6:30 - 9 p.m. Fridays through August 30; Saline Salty Summer Sounds, Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. through Aug. 15 (West Henry Parking lot) and U-M School of Music Summer Carillon Concerts, Mondays 7 p.m. July 15-August 12 at Lurie or Burton Memorial Towers.